Business & Financial Press
Qimonda Reports Results for the Second Quarter of Financial Year 2008
For the full version of this news release (incl. financial data), please download the PDF version available at the end of this release
Apr 21, 2008 - Munich, Germany
KEY FIGURES AND HIGHLIGHTS
- Net sales declined to Euro 412 million; EBIT loss narrowed to Euro 468 million and net loss narrowed to Euro 482 million from the previous quarter, including Euro 61 million impairment of goodwill
- Gross cash position of Euro 768 million; positive net cash position of Euro 216 million
- Introducing Euro 180 million comprehensive cost reduction program including a reduction in workforce in the range of 10 percent on a worldwide basis
- Significant progress in discussions with potential partners results in first license agreement with Winbond on 65nm Buried Wordline technology
- Mass production of breakthrough Buried Wordline technology planned for September 2008
April 21, 2008 - Qimonda AG (NYSE: QI) today announced results for the second quarter of
financial year (FY) 2008, which ended March 31, 2008. Net sales decreased to Euro 412 million, or
20 percent, from Euro 513 million in the first quarter of FY 2008. Compared to the second quarter
of FY 2007, sales declined 58 percent from Euro 984 million.
In the second quarter of FY 2008, Qimonda recorded an EBIT loss of Euro 468 million compared
to an EBIT loss of Euro 590 million in the first quarter of FY 2008 and a positive EBIT of Euro 85
million in the second quarter of FY 2007. Net loss was Euro 482 million, or a loss per share (basic
and diluted) of Euro 1.41, compared to a net loss of Euro 598 million in the first quarter of FY
2008, or a loss per share (basic and diluted) of Euro 1.75. In the second quarter of FY 2007,
Qimonda reported net income of Euro 57 million or earnings per share (basic and diluted) of Euro
0.17.
For the first half of FY 2008, Qimonda recorded net sales of Euro 925 million, a decrease of
57 percent compared to the same period last year. EBIT loss for the first half of the financial
year was Euro 1,058 million compared to a positive EBIT of Euro 335 million in the first half of
the previous financial year. Net loss amounted to Euro 1,080 million or a loss per share of Euro
3.16 compared to net income of Euro 234 million or earnings per share of Euro 0.68 in the first
half of FY 2007.
“Even though second quarter results show an improvement compared to last quarter, we are
still operating in extremely difficult market conditions,” said Kin Wah Loh, President and Chief
Executive Officer of Qimonda AG. “Since the beginning of this industry downturn, we have reduced
our capital expenditures, phased out 200mm foundries and more recently reduced the loading of our
300mm foundry capacities. Now we are introducing a comprehensive cost reduction program to further
adjust our cost structure. At the same time, our breakthrough Buried Wordline technology will give
us a competitive leap forward in productivity, product portfolio and partnerships. I am excited to
announce our first partnership based on this new technology platform with Winbond.”
Results from Operations
In the second quarter, Qimonda realized bit shipment growth of 48 percent compared to the
corresponding period one year earlier. Net sales decreased mainly due to a 67 percent decline in
average selling price for the company’s products compared with the prior year quarter as well as a
weaker US dollar. Compared with the first financial quarter, bit production grew by 6 percent
mainly due to productivity improvements. Bit shipments decreased by 9 percent as finished goods
inventories grew slightly. Net sales decreased due to the lower bit shipments and a 7 percent
decline in average selling prices for the company’s products. Qimonda’s share of shipments to PC
applications grew slightly to 56 percent due to its increased focus on accelerating the conversion
of its process technology.
In the second quarter of FY 2008, Qimonda generated 32 percent of its net sales in North
America, 17 percent in Europe, 40 percent in Asia Pacific and 11 percent in Japan.
Year over year, gross margin and net income turned to losses due to the significant decline
in average selling prices, resulting in a net loss in the second quarter of FY 2008. The effect of
the rapid and deep price decline could not be offset by higher bit shipments and improved
manufacturing productivity. Quarter over quarter, negative gross margin and net loss narrowed
primarily due to the absence of inventory write downs for the quarter as well as the effect of the
restructuring and business discontinuation charges that were recorded in the first quarter.
However, net loss in the second quarter included a write down of goodwill of Euro 61 million.
Pursuant to US GAAP standard SFAS No. 142, the company assessed its recorded goodwill for
impairment. As a result of this assessment, Qimonda wrote off the full carrying amount of its
goodwill as of March 31, 2008. This non-cash charge of Euro 61 million is reflected as other
operating expense.
Qimonda had converted more than 75 percent of its capacities to 80nm and 75nm by the end of
March and is on track to reach a conversion rate of 90 percent by September 2008.
Cash Flow and Balance Sheet
In the second quarter of FY 2008, cash outflow from operations narrowed to Euro 110 million
compared to an outflow of Euro 158 million in the first quarter of FY 2008, mainly due to
improvements in working capital. Capital expenditures in the second quarter of FY 2008 were
primarily used for technology conversions and decreased significantly to Euro 79 million from Euro
190 million in the prior quarter. Free cash flow was negative Euro 193 million. The previous
quarter free cash flow of negative Euro 217 million included a cash inflow of Euro 131 million from
sale leaseback transactions.
At the end of the second quarter of FY 2008, Qimonda’s gross cash position increased to Euro
768 million compared to Euro 746 million in the last quarter. The company’s net cash position in
the second quarter was Euro 216 million compared to Euro 374 million in the first quarter of FY
2008. The second quarter figures include Euro 170 million in proceeds from a convertible bond
issuance and a Euro 40 million term loan.
“In a difficult market environment we maintained strict financial discipline and ensured a
solid cash position,” said Michael Majerus, Chief Financial Officer of Qimonda AG.
Technology and Partnerships
Based on the recent progress the company has made, Qimonda plans to further accelerate the
conversion to the new Buried Wordline technology and plans to introduce the first product, a 1G
DDR2 on 65nm Buried Wordline technology, in September 2008.
Qimonda has just signed a technology license and foundry agreement on the 65nm Buried
Wordline technology with Winbond. This partnership builds on a longstanding history of successful
mutual cooperation. Qimonda is also in discussions with other potential partners regarding its
breakthrough technology.
Cost Reduction Program
Since the beginning of the market downturn in 2007, Qimonda has cut capital expenditures
approximately by half, completely phased out less productive 200mm foundries and reduced 300mm
foundry capacities. This puts Qimonda now in a position to implement in a second step a
comprehensive cost reduction program to adjust its cost structure accordingly and lower its
breakeven point. The company targets Euro 180 million in annualized cost reductions compared to the
current cost structure. These cost reductions are based on a combination of reducing workforce in
the range of 10 percent on a worldwide basis and cutting recurring costs. This includes a reduction
in non-volatile memory development to basic research activities. The related agreement with
Macronix will be terminated. Qimonda expects to realize these savings in full starting in FY 2009
and to accrue any restructuring charges relating to this program by the end of FY 2008.
Outlook
For the third quarter, Qimonda expects its bit production to decrease by a high single digit
percentage compared to the second quarter, mainly due the reduction of capacity corridors with
foundry partners.
Qimonda is currently targeting an increase in its bit production for FY 2008 of 20 to 30
percent, taking into account a reduction of 300mm capacities at its foundry partners, compared to
its prior estimate of 30 to 40 percent. In general, Qimonda expects a slow down of supply growth in
the market, in line with market researchers, eventually leading to a more balanced supply and
demand situation.
Qimonda is further reducing its target for SG&A expenses for FY 2008 to between Euro 180
million and Euro 200 million compared to its original target at the beginning of the financial year
of between Euro 210 million and Euro 230 million.
For FY 2008, Qimonda continues to expect bit demand for DRAM to be driven by continued solid
growth in servers, consumer and communication applications and the move to higher density modules
in the PC market. Qimonda expects its share of bit-shipments for use in non-PC applications to be
greater than 50 percent for the full financial year.
Recent Strategic and Production Highlights
- Technology Breakthrough: innovative Buried Wordline DRAM technology to further advance the company’s diversified product portfolio and to deliver improvements in its productivity.
- Convertible bond fully exercised with total principal amount of US Dollar 248.1 million.
- Intel Validation of DDR3 SO-DIMMs on upcoming Intel® Centrino® 2 Processor Technology Mobile Platforms.
Upcoming Events 2008
July 24, Earnings Release for the Third Quarter of FY 2008
Unaudited Financial Information
Attached is Qimonda's unaudited financial information for the second quarter of the 2008
financial year, which ended March 31, 2008. This financial information includes reconciliations of
the non-US GAAP financial measures EBIT, net cash position and free cash flow to net income, gross
cash position and cash flow from operations, respectively, which are the closest measures prepared
in accordance with US GAAP. Financial information as of dates before and for periods beginning
before May 1, 2006 is derived from Qimonda's combined financial statements prepared in accordance
with its carve-out from Infineon, effective on that date.
Conference Call
The company will host a conference call today at 4:30pm EST, 1:30pm PST, 9:30pm GMT, and
10:30pm CET to discuss its financial results. The web cast and slide presentation will be available
at
www.qimonda.com. A webcast replay will be available for a limited time on the
company’s web site. An audio replay of the conference call will also be available at phone number
+1 718 354 1112 (US), +44 (0)20 7806 1970 (UK), +49 (0)69 22222 0418 (Germany), +81 (0)3 3570 8212
(Japan), pass code: 7984877 #, beginning at 6:30pm EST today and continuing until 5:59pm EST on
April 24, 2008.
About Qimonda
Qimonda AG (NYSE: QI) is a leading global memory supplier with a broad diversified DRAM
product portfolio. The company generated net sales of Euro 3.61 billion in financial year 2007 and
had approximately 13,500 employees worldwide. Qimonda has access to five 300mm manufacturing sites
on three continents and operates six major R&D facilities. The company provides DRAM products
for a wide variety of applications, including in the computing, infrastructure, graphics, mobile
and consumer areas, using its power saving technologies and designs. Further information is
available at
www.qimonda.com.
Disclaimer
This press release contains forward-looking statements based on assumptions and forecasts made by Qimonda management and third parties. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about our beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements. These statements are based on current plans, estimates and projections, and speak only as of the date they are made. We undertake no obligation to update any of them in light of new information or future events. These forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and are subject to a number of uncertainties, including trends in demand and prices for semiconductors generally and for our products in particular, the success of our development efforts, both alone and with our partners, the success of our efforts to introduce new production processes at our facilities and the actions of our competitors, the availability of funds for planned expansion efforts and the outcome of antitrust investigations and litigation matters, as well as other factors. We caution you that these and a number of other known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors could cause actual future results, or outcomes to differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statement. These factors include those identified under the heading "Risk Factors" in our most recent Annual Report on Form 20-F and our prospectus supplement filed with the SEC on February 11, 2008, each of which is available without charge on our website and at www.sec.gov .
